News

SARVAC President Janelle Coultes Appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada

SARVAC is pleased to announce that President Janelle Coultes has been appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada (GSARCC). The GSAR Council of Canada brings together provincial and territorial search and rescue authorities, along with...

Free Online Awareness Courses for GSAR Volunteers

SARVAC is pleased to share two free online awareness courses from Boreal River Rescue, available exclusively to GSAR volunteers. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Boreal River Rescue for generously providing these valuable training opportunities free of...

Grateful as We Kick-Start Emergency Preparedness Week 2026

With Emergency Preparedness Week 2026 in full swing, it is an important reminder for Canadians everywhere to be prepared and understand the risks facing our communities. Emergencies are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more costly—and preparedness has never...

SARVAC National SAR Canine Program: Moving Toward a National Standard

Volunteer canine teams play a critical role in Canada’s search and rescue system. Until now, however, there has been no unified national standard to guide their training, operational roles, or deployment. That is now changing. SARVAC’s National SAR Canine Program is...

Welcome Bill Peck as the Northwest Territories Representative on the Board of Directors!

SARVAC is pleased to welcome Bill Peck as the newest Territorial Representative for the Northwest Territories on the SARVAC Board of Directors. Bill brings over eleven years of experience in Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR), along with a strong background in geomatics,...
Alberta Regional Engagement Session Recap!

Alberta Regional Engagement Session Recap!

Earlier this week, representatives from Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, several Alberta First Nations, SARVAC, and Holistic Emergency Preparedness gathered in Edmonton — on the traditional territory of First Nations and Métis, and covered under Treaty 6  —...

Role-Specific & Leadership Resources

Role-Specific & Leadership Resources

📚 Role-Specific & Leadership Resources As part of SARVAC’s Indigenous Awareness Campaign, we’re offering leadership-level resources to strengthen cultural competency and support respectful, community-centered HWF deployments. This awareness also supports local...

Cultural Awareness Strengthens Search and Rescue Response

Cultural Awareness Strengthens Search and Rescue Response

Cultural Awareness Strengthens Search and Rescue Response November 2–8 marks Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario— an opportunity for Ontarians, and Canadians more broadly, to deepen understanding and engagement with Indigenous peoples as part of the ongoing process...

Can you guess who’s who?

Can you guess who’s who?

We’re proud to welcome back our re-elected SARVAC Executive! 🙌 Janelle Coultes – SARVAC President Guy Lapointe – SARVAC Vice President Bobbi Buchanan – SARVAC Secretary Jason Hudson – SARVAC Treasurer Although not everyone could be present for a photo opportunity...

Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Deployment Update

Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Deployment Update

This week, our final rotations remained fully engaged with operational tasks while preparing for demobilization. Some SARVAC HWF responders from Nova Scotia returned home on short notice to support their own communities facing active wildfire emergencies. Meanwhile,...

Wildfire National Response Update

Wildfire National Response Update

Actively Monitoring in Newfoundland & Supporting Operations in Winnipeg from the HWF Team As the first week of August comes to a close, wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador have prompted a State of Emergency and Evacuation Order, with the Holyrood Fire still...

WEEK 2 UPDATE | Manitoba Wildfire Evacuation Support 

WEEK 2 UPDATE | Manitoba Wildfire Evacuation Support 

SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF) continues to maintain a steady presence on the ground in Winnipeg, supporting wildfire evacuees across Manitoba. Following the successful launch of operations earlier this month, Rotation #2 has now completed its...

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